IIHS Triumphs at SLANSHEI Cricket Challenge 2023
For Sri Lankans cricket is not just a sport. It is a shared passion. A good game of cricket has the ability to halt the country in its tracks, bridge divisions and unite a nation transcending political conflicts. It is also a sport that brings people of all ages and genders together to have fun. It is this spirit that brought together the member institutions of SLANSHEI at the SLANSHEI Cricket Challenge 2023.
SLANSHEI Cricket Challenge 2023 was organized for the staff and senior management of some of the key non-state higher education institutes in Sri Lanka, on the 1st of April at the Horizon cricket ground, Malabe. The event aimed to provide a day exclusively for the staff members of member institutions to kick back, relax and bond over their shared passion for cricket in a competitive setting. The tournament was a huge success, with 11 teams participating in a shortened form of the game, making it a day of fun and entertainment for all those involved.
The Horizon cricket ground provided a perfect setting for the tournament. The ground was in excellent condition, and the organizers led by Eranda Siriwardana of Horizon Campus had made sure all the background work had been done to ensure a smooth and hassle-free tournament. The weather was perfect for a game of cricket, and the atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation.
Despite the shortened format, or perhaps, because of it, the matches were fiercely contested, with each team determined to emerge victorious. The quality of cricket on display was exceptional, with some inspired performances with the bat and ball. As the day progressed, the tension and excitement increased, and the matches became more intense. The spectators were treated to some thrilling cricket, with several matches going down to the wire. The day witnessed some scintillating bowling performances from Harsha Ravindra (ESOFT Campus), Nimesh Jayawardena (SIBA) and Chamara Kodithuwakku (Cinec Campus), highest individual scores of 32 & 31 runs by Udaya Sandaruwan (Horizon Campus) and Kangaraj Chandrakumar (BMS) and the highest team total of 55 runs in 16 balls by Horizon Campus, as well as nail biting finishes that went into super overs!
The final match of the tournament was a fitting finale to an excellent day of cricket. The teams from IIHS and Horizon, who were undefeated throughout the series put up a spirited performance, and in the end, it was the team with the better nerves who emerged victorious. IIHS was crowned champion of the SLANSHEI Cricket Challenge 2023. The day ended with awards going out to stella performances by the following:
Champion – IIHS
Runners up- Horizon Campus
Best Fielder- Ajitha Wanasinghe- Horizon Campus
Best Bowler- Dulip Kumara- IIHS
Best Batsman- Chamila Godellawatthe- IIHS
Man of the match- Chamila Godellawatthe- IIHS
Man of the tournament- Chamila Godellawatthe- IIHS
SLANSHEI Cricket Challenge 2023 was not just about cricket. It was also an opportunity for staff members to interact with their colleagues from other educational institutes and to build relationships that extend beyond the confines of the workplace. The day ended with all the thrills and spills of the game, as well as memories both on and off the field, that could last for a long time to come.